Machines that Recognize Gesture and Speech, and more...

The Rise of a New Automation Controller According to this report from Industrial Automation Asia, growing manufacturing demands are pushing current controller functionality to the limit. This is forcing machine builders to produce a new generation of control hardware that delivers faster, more accurate motion control and seamless connectivity with a variety of I/O devices on a single platform. An example of these cutting-edge systems is the Machine Automation Controller, which integrates and synchronizes diverse specialized controllers, coordinating logic, motion, vision, I/O, and safety using a single real-time network. The system's high level of determinism enhances throughput, yield, and uptime, accurately coordinating as many as 64 axes.   Parker Unveils New Pump/Fan Drive SSD Drives, a Division of Parker Hannifin Corp. Honeywell — Imagine a World Without Wires Allied Electronics, Inc. Parker Hannifin signposts a new direction for future AC variable speed drives with the unveiling of its AC30V, the first of an entirely new generation ofdrives products. The AC30V has been designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of industrial pump, fan, and general purpose applications. Honeywell Wireless Limitless Switches let you explore more possibilities than ever before. Limitless devices have up to a 305 m line-of-sight range, are no longer tethered by wire, and conform to the international IEEE 802.15.4 standard for increased security. Honeywell offers solutions for every industry. Learn more. www.alliedelec.com ANSI RIA Standards for Robotics American National Standards Institute, Inc. Metaphase Releases ULC-2 LED Controller Metaphase Technologies, Inc. Download RIA robot safety standards. Or use keyword search for "automation" to access standards from ISO, IEC, British Standards, SEMI, CLSI, and many more. These provide coverage from automation of laboratories, to power plants, robotic welding, network communication for automation systems, etc. New Metaphase Technologies' 120 W Controller, Model ULC-2, provides dual, independent, constant-current control of LED illuminators (60 W, 4A DC, and 40 A Strobed PER channel). The unit is controlled via user-friendly LCD and keypad or Ethernet/USB interface (Metaboss software or Ethernet command list). Multiple units can be daisy-chained together for additional channels.
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Industrial Computers, Systems & Controllers . . . Learn More Touchless Machine Control Moves into Automation Automation systems will soon have human machine interfaces (HMIs) as sophisticated as those found on consumer devices like the iPhone and iPad. This piece examines the work of, and the tools used by, machine builders and interface developers to include gesture-based controland speech recognition in systems to enable machine communications and I/O. These technologies offer unique advantages, particularly in hazardous areas, where intrinsically safe controls are required. The Growing Power of Robots   Researchers are building industrial robots that perform progressively more complex tasks and react to dynamic conditions, using technologies that imbue sophisticated sight, touch, and intelligence. Kinematics enable these machines to better "understand" their own movements. Using feedback from vision and force sensors, robots perform functions that were impossible only a few years ago (see video). For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Robotic Systems. Communications & Connectivity . . . Learn More Drag and Drop on the Display Wall Control room and operation center video walls enrich process and network management by creating a visual environment that displays information from multiple sources. The MuraControl app converts the iPad into a touch panel interface that enables you to remotely control inputs for a display wall and manipulate the media layouts in real-time using drag, drop, and tap commands. Technologies Driving Network Performance Microprocessor and software advances are shaping the form and function of industrial networks, driving the role of connectivity on the plant floor. This study explains how expanding microprocessor functionality, growing ASIC and FPGA use, and rising support of programmability, determinism, and standards-based architectures are defining industrial networks and their applications. The analysis also gauges the impact of the Internet, cloud computing, and virtualization.   Robot Screw Driving Delivers Accurate Assembly Visumatic Industrial Products ARCA® Enclosures Offer Custom Color Options Fibox Enclosures The Viper MBC robot performs lightning fast screw driving and flawless fastener delivery.Visumatic's lean, flexible design allows placement in a variety of assembly processes. This robot package is modular and extremely durable for rapid deployment. When your spec calls for error-free robotic assembly, place a Viper MBC and go! Fibox offers ARCA® JIC enclosures in custom colors matched to PMS, FED STD 595C, or European RAL Colors. For example, OEMs can request red for fire alarm control panels or white for solar industry applications. Made from polycarbonate, ARCA features UL, NEMA 4X and IP 66 / 67 rating, and CE certification. 250% Improvement in Beam Cutting Throughput AC&E Inc. Allen-Bradley® GuardLogix® Panel Solution  Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation Robotic cutting solutions powered byStruCIM® software from AC&E Inc are helping one of Canada's top developers of automation for the structural steel industry to improve throughput by 250% on specific cutting tasks. The system is able to handle beams and flat plates, delivering significant production advantages over existing methods. The Allen-Bradley GuardLogix Panelhelps address global safety standards and regulations. The panel uses a standard ControlLogix processor for true integrated control that provides SIL 3 safety capability. This pre-configured hardware solution helps reduce your engineering, labor, and installation costs, allowing you to reduce your procurement and startup time. Power Strategies . . . Learn More Eliminating Energy Waste Manufacturers can significantly reduce overhead expenditures by eliminating energy waste. Industry Weekexamines key areas where plant managers can optimize processes and equipment, beginning with a survey of existing conditions. Efforts should focus on harnessing unused energy: cooler outside temperatures and waste heat; tailoring the timing of operations to avoid peak energy use; optimizing air compression equipment; and turning off unused machinery. A Motor for Unconventional Mounting Engineers have developed a hollow-shaft, direct-drive motor for applications where axial installation and removal are impossible. The Wing motor's split stator fits around the shaft to simplify removal for maintenance. The two three-phase halves include a water-cooling system, which enables the motor to operate at rotor temperatures as high as 200 C. The Wing motor operates efficiently at speeds up to 1,750 rpm. If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to the GlobalSpec e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Motors. Instruments, Sensors & Networking . . . Learn More Manufacturing Moves Toward Plant-wide Networks Advances in network design, infrastructure support technologies, and industry collaboration are paving the way towards top-to-bottom real-time Ethernet connectivity for manufacturing. The plant-wide architecture will interface closely with enterprise systems to enable better business decisions. Design News explains how this convergence will bring greater bandwidth, accommodate multiple protocols, include more wireless technologies, and cultivate improved access to diagnostic information. Managing Open Control Networks   The complexity and scale of open control networks present challenges when it comes to ensuring common operating environment standardization. This piece examines software tools that help plants gather critical information on the equipment, applications, services, databases, and operating systems that make up the automation infrastructure. With this visibility, manufacturers can track daily infrastructure changes, maintain licensing and regulatory compliance, and troubleshoot vulnerabilities.   TMDXICE3359 — Pocket-sized Development Platform for Industrial Applications Texas Instruments Digital Signal Processors & ARM Microprocessors Mini USB Connector — USB 2.0 Compliant CONEC   TMDXICE3359 — pocket-sized development platform for industrial applications using TI's AM335x Sitara ARM Microprocessor AM3359 industrial communications engine (ICE) from TI is a pocket-sized, cost-optimized, and form-factor optimized reference design for I/O devices and sensors needing to add industrial communications quickly and easily. Buy the AM3359 Industrial Communications Engine now and learn more about TI's DSPs. CONEC has expanded its bayonet-locking and water-resistant series of connectors with a Mini-USB connectorcompliant with USB 2.0 specifications. The new Mini-USB connector provides design engineers a highly reliable option for the harshest environments including industrial production and automation, food/beverage and diagnostic, and test instruments. R&I Dura Precision Part Placement Devices R&I Manufacturing Co. Controls and Automation Systems Bricmont Incorporated — An Inductotherm Group Company R&I Manufacturing Company located in Terryville, CT is a manufacturer of high-quality, precision part placement devices for use in the automated assembly industry including grippers, slides, escapements, thrusters, rotary actuators, and pick and place units. All parts and components are designed, manufactured, and assembled at the factory in Terryville, CT. Please visit us here. Bricmont offers a wide range of control systems to the manufacturing and processing industries. From simple single-loop control to sophisticated PC-based systems, they integrate hardware and software from many different sources to build the most effective and efficient system possible for your needs.